A POV is a motor vehicle owned or on long term lease (12) months
or longer by the military member or a dependent of that member, is self
propelled, licensed to travel overland on the public highways, has four or more
wheels, and is designed to carry passengers or property. A motorcycle
or moped can also be considered a POV if the member does not ship a vehicle with
four or more wheels on the same set of orders. In either case, the
vehicle cannot be used for commercial purposes.
San Diego now offers the
option of picking up your vehicle at Naval Station San Diego. You
must let the Personal Property Office arranging your vehicle shipment that you
would like this option. Refer to the Contacts/Link for the required
information.
Required Documents
If someone other than the member
arranges for the POV shipment and releases it at the port for shipment, that
person must have the appropriate authorization from the member; either a power
of attorney or letter of authorization notarized or counter-signed by a
commissioned officer.
The member or member's representative must show
proof of ownership, registration, or a lease agreement on the vehicle and a copy
of the PCS orders.
The Importance of a Proper Address
Upon arrival
in San Diego, the member or designated representative should contact the
transportation office. The telephone number will be provided by the
Personal Property Office counselor. If the vehicle has not arrived,
let the office know who to contact when it does arrive. The
destination port can only hold the vehicle for 45 days at the
terminal. If a member or representative is unable to pick up the
vehicle within that 45 day period and the vehicle is transferred to storage, the
member will have to pay the cost of storage. Again, if a designated
representative is used, ensure that person has a power of attorney or letter of
authorization from the member.
Joint Inspection
Before the vehicle
is released, a port terminal inspector, the member or the member's designated
representative, will conduct a vehicle inspection to identify and acknowledge
any damage that occurred during shipment. The vehicle will be
released when the military member or the member's representative and the
terminal inspector sign DD-788, the "Private Vehicle Shipping Document,"
initiated at the origin port. Ensure that a legible copy of this form
is received from the inspector. It is critical that all discrepancies
found during the joint inspection be noted on the DD-788 as verification of
shipment damage. Failure to annotate damage will jeopardize the
claims settlement.
Southern California Port Information
There are
two locations for processing vehicles: the Matson Auto Lot on
Terminal Island, Long Beach, for shipment to and from Hawaii; and the main
Command Location in Compton (not far from Long Beach) for all other
destinations.
Continental United States POV
Shipment: A member may be authorized to have their vehicles shipped
in the continental United States if they are assigned to a ship that is changing
home ports, have insufficient travel time to drive from the old to the new duty
station (documented in writing by their commanding officer), or have a medical
condition that is certified in writing by a doctor. A dependent of a
deceased member may be authorized to a vehicle shipped as
well. Members believing they meet any of these conditions should
check with a counselor. Otherwise, members should plan on moving
their own vehicles within the continental United States.